Supporting Children's Mental Health in the 21st Century

Supporting Children's Mental Health in the 21st Century

Azeez Oluwafemi Elesho

The Home for Little Wanderers

Introduction

There is a growing trend of older parents with higher levels of education who are increasingly advocating for their children and actively participating in their educational endeavours. Emerging technologies provide children with enhanced capabilities for self-expression, information acquisition, and social interaction according to Boyle et al. (2019). Moreover, these technologies offer immediate assistance through means such as phone calls or messages on platforms like WhatsApp, particularly during times of urgency. There is evidence to suggest that contemporary children have experienced notable enhancements across various domains, including improved access to healthcare, enhanced public safety measures, and increased support for their physical and mental well-being. Simultaneously, there are indications of emerging stresses. In the contemporary era, there is a discernible rise in anxiety levels among children, primarily attributed to the heightened expectations placed upon them within an increasingly competitive educational landscape (García-Carrión, Villarejo-Carballido, & Villardón-Gallego, 2019). The proliferation of technologies designed to facilitate parental connectivity with their children has inadvertently posed challenges in effectively monitoring children's behaviour once they acquire personal devices. The pervasive presence of the digital realm entails that risks such as cyberbullying persistently extend their reach from physical school environments to the private spaces of children and adolescents. There exists a pressing imperative to scrutinise the experiences of contemporary children and gain a deeper comprehension of its implications for the field of education according to (Colizzi, Lasalvia, & Ruggeri, 2020). In what ways can educators and educational institutions collaborate with parents and communities to safeguard and mentor children, while concurrently fostering their development and learning through the process of making errors? To analyse such issues, this paper discusses supporting children's mental health in the 21st century.

Digital technologies

The proliferation of technology has facilitated convenient access to information, assistance, and support for individuals. However, this heightened usage also entails notable risks. Given the increasing ubiquity of technology in the lives of children, it is imperative to determine the appropriate age at which children should be provided with a mobile phone, as there exist potential enduring consequences associated with early exposure to phone usage. There is a notable association between the amount of time spent on screens and the use of social media among children and adolescents and a heightened occurrence of mental health issues. The influence of technology on children and adolescents can significantly affect their social skills, developmental trajectory, and is associated with various subsequent outcomes (Ford, et al., 2021). The available research has demonstrated that internet addiction is increasingly prevalent, particularly among adolescent populations (Ford, et al., 2021). There exists a correlation between this phenomenon and the occurrence of depression, diminished self-worth, and feelings of isolation. These symptoms frequently contribute to the development of clinically diagnosable mental disorders and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions. The association between passive engagement with social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Facebook, and heightened susceptibility to depression has been established (Meherali, et al., 2021). In relation to the correlation between screen usage and physical as well as mental health outcomes, numerous studies have indicated that heightened levels of screen usage among children and adolescents are linked to diminished physical activity, heightened susceptibility to depression, and decreased well-being.

Children’s Relationships

In contemporary society, parents find themselves occupied with professional obligations and social engagements, resulting in limited quality time dedicated to their children. The relationships that children form have a significant impact on their perception of the world and exert influence on various aspects of their overall development. Children acquire knowledge about themselves and their surroundings through their interactions with parents, family members, and carers. This is due to the fact that relationships afford children the opportunity to articulate their emotions and thoughts, whether through crying, laughing, or asking questions, and receive reciprocal responses in the form of physical affection, smiles, or answers as per Hossain and Purohit (2019). The information that children receive from their experiences is crucial for their understanding of the world and their subsequent actions. It influences their cognitive processes, comprehension abilities, communication skills, behavioural patterns, emotional expressions, and social development. For instance, when an infant engages in babbling or when a child expresses a desire for physical affection and parents reciprocate with affectionate and nurturing responses, parents are facilitating the child's acquisition of knowledge pertaining to communication, behaviour, and emotions.

By responding empathetically to a child's needs, individuals contribute to the child's sense of safety and security, while simultaneously fostering the development of a robust interpersonal bond (García-Carrión, Villarejo-Carballido, & Villardón-Gallego, 2019). However, in cases where the environment surrounding the child appears disorderly due to parents' preoccupation with work and lack of attentiveness towards the child, the child may experience feelings of insecurity and detachment, which can potentially result in diminished self-assurance and a reluctance to engage in exploratory behaviour.

Indicators of deficiency in mental health among children

Several indicators that suggest a deficiency in mental health among children are:

Significant alterations in behavioural patterns
The occurrence of abrupt changes in mood.
The alteration in dietary patterns
The occurrence of frequent tantrums, the expression of anger, and the manifestation of irritation.
The proclivity for engaging in acts of violence or vandalism
The phenomenon of withdrawing from social interactions or exhibiting an increased sense of aloofness.
A dearth of enthusiasm towards academic pursuits, completion of assignments, and attendance at educational institutions.
Substance abuse, intoxication, and alcohol consumption.
Insomnia or weight loss.
Recalcitrance refers to a state of disobedience characterised by a persistent and obstinate refusal to adhere to given instructions.
Low self-esteem or a deficiency in confidence.

The aforementioned manifestations could potentially indicate the presence of various psychological conditions, including anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, autism spectrum disorder, and burnout (Fledderjohann, Erlam, Knowles, & Broadhurst, 2021). When these mental health concerns are recognised in children, it is imperative for teachers, school personnel, counsellors, and parents to collaborate in order to identify and implement effective interventions.

Supporting Children's Mental Health in the 21st Century

There is a need to enhance the efficacy of mental health programmes in educational institutions nationwide. These programmes could potentially focus on integrating health awareness as a core component of the school curriculum (Meherali, et al., 2021). Educational institutions should regularly arrange workshops aimed at addressing the various concerns pertaining to the mental and emotional well-being of children and adolescents, involving students, teachers, and parents.

Enhancing collaboration between educational institutions and mental health practitioners is imperative for schools to establish robust community partnerships in order to effectively address mental health concerns among students. One potential avenue for improvement involves fostering enhanced collaboration between educational institutions and mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychotherapists, and community counsellors.

A pervasive alteration in societal attitudes towards mental health concerns is imperative. It is imperative to mitigate the social stigma associated with mental disorders. It is imperative to raise awareness among educators and parents regarding the importance of cultivating an inclusive mindset, thereby fostering an environment that promotes open dialogue among children regarding their mental health concerns (Colizzi, Lasalvia, & Ruggeri, 2020). The implementation of specialised teacher training modules focused on the identification and intervention of psychological disorders in children will provide educators with the necessary knowledge and appropriate mindset to effectively address mental health concerns.

The implementation of personalised counselling services is imperative within educational institutions, as it necessitates the establishment of a specialised support system for the psychological and emotional well-being of both students and parents. These initiatives facilitate the development of mental resilience, stress tolerance, and enhanced regulation of emotions and behaviour in children.

Conclusion

The National Education Policy places significant emphasis on prioritising the mental health and overall well-being of learners as a means to foster their comprehensive growth and development. The achievement of this growth is contingent upon the integration of knowledge, skills, competencies, values, ethics, and an unwavering commitment to continuous learning throughout one's lifetime (Fledderjohann, Erlam, Knowles, & Broadhurst, 2021). The primary prerequisite for attaining this objective is optimal health, which encompasses the dimensions of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is imperative for educational institutions, educators, and parents to adopt a proactive approach in fostering the development of adaptability and resilience among learners, thereby enhancing their ability to effectively manage both their physical and mental well-being.

References

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Published: Saturday, July 8, 2023